Creepy serial hugger kisses and gropes 36 women over THREE YEARS. Police in Des Peres, Mo. have arrested a man suspected of hugging women he did not know in and around a local supermarket.

The alleged serial hugger nicknamed “Jack the Gripper” is accused of pretending to know women and tricking them into giving him a hug.

So far, at least 36 women have come forward to complain about unwanted hugs over three years, and one woman said the man also kissed her on the lips during their embrace.

Police would not release the name of the man, but the Riverfront Times, a St. Louis weekly, dubbed him "Jack the Gripper" or "John Wayne Embracey."

While Des Peres cops arrested him on probable cause, but released him an hour later. (c) tPC